stand. In front of us was a big square plain. To the
left, Long Mountain, while to the right lay the Caribbean, its
shores fringed with cocoanut-palms. The centre of the field
contained the refreshment tent.

The grand stand now began to fill up, and soon the first race was
called. While they were preparing for this we saw about a score of
musicians in zouave uniform marching up from the barracks. These
constituted the West India band. They were all negroes, and some
had brilliant-colored turbans on, and some little caps with
tassels. Lots of the Newcastle soldiers were there, and their
scarlet coats and white helmets made a vivid bit of color.
Officers on horseback galloped about with white and red flags
shouting out directions. The zouaves were now in position, and the
band-master, who was white, with a uniform to match, and a huge
mustache, soon started the music. We watched him with delight as
he kept time with his wand, making the delicious gestures that
only a band-master can make.

The racers were mostly polo ponies, mostly of thirteen hands. I
won two of the races; one on a little gray, and the other on a
slender black with a graceful head. We left after the sixth race,
while the band played with as much vim as if for the first--"God
save the Queen!"

BEATRIE HAWTHORNE.
GORDON TOWN, JAMAICA.

From a Knight in Japan.

In answer to your request, I will try to give you a few ideas
about Japan. Japan is an ancient island empire; but after the
restoration the empire was entirely governed by the Emperor
Mustu-Hito, until he gave to the people a constitution, in 1889.
The Emperor is assisted in the government by a Prime Minister, a
cabinet, and two houses of Parliament. Tokyo, the capital, is a
very beautiful city, one reason being its numerous moats, walls,
and stone embankments, on which grow the odd-shaped Japanese
pines.

The parks are beautiful and very large, and have many grand old
trees hundreds of years old. The population of Tokyo is nearly a
million and a half, and it contains a hundred square miles. It is
very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Our rainy season is in
summer, while our dry season is in winter. We rarely have more
than two or three light snow-storms a winter.

The persimmon and orange